Wally, I'll come too, but only if you have frisbees.

Well, sue has said just about word for word what I would say. You need to focus, there will be plenty of time afterwards to sort the relationship out but try not to let things affect achieving the goal you have worked so long and hard for. As horrid as it sounds, maybe some time apart until you have finished would be a good idea - it's a tough call to make.

Will there be free pens?

Right, let's see what you all think! Have had a couple of discussions recently about whether you would be happy to be a housewife/husband when you have a PhD or whether you think you could do so much more.

My initial thinking was this - no, I couldn't do it, I'm quite ambitious and enjoy having a career and plans for my career. I enjoy what I do (most of the time) and I have a great work/life balance that means I get to do lots outside of work. Perhaps as I become more senior and work longer hours that will give a bit, but the extra financial reward should at least make up a bit for it. I thought, I would be quite bored even if I would be quite good as a househusband and always feel like I could do better than letting someone else be the breadwinner.

Then my thoughts kind of changed a bit. If spouse had a good job and was a high earner (I worked out this would mean at least 6 figures) then financially there would be enough security, could have a decent place to live (at least in a lot of the places I would consider living), a nice car, decent lifestyle. With no kids to bring up (don't want any, thankyou very much!) it means I could have the freedom to still pursue my own interests - I could write, do my own research, do a bit of consultancy work, do some tutoring, something to still bring in a bit of cash of my own to have as pocket money for myself but able to pick and choose. But also I quite like cooking and don't mind cleaning so would take good care of the house. It'd be nice to meet up with friends for lunch and do shopping during the week, a bit like PhD lifestyle used to be.

This is all hypothetical by the way. So would you do it? Do you think you'd be happy? What other pros and cons are there?

Or you can just tell me I am crazy for even thinking about such things 8-)

No, I haven't spoken to him for quite a while sadly. I might try and hunt him down, I have his email somewhere around.

Actually, myself and H were pondering the other week where everyone was - there are a few names I still recognise (404 in particular).

But still my love Clara van der Akker never did return :(

Hey bazzab, I remember you! I was on here as DanB. Untill I get banned :)

And I'm now Dr DanB, being all sensible with a job :(

I wore a tutu, a boob tube and red glittery platforms. My examiners decided pantomime wear was appropriate and came as the ugly sisters.

I use WinEdt with MikTex. And you're more than welcome to PM me any questions if you get stuck with anything, I'm always trying to convert people to the joy of LaTeX :)

In which case I would go for it if you have the time (and a LOT of patience!) to learn it. Most of it is fairly straightforward but it does have some odd nuances, like trying to get your graphs in the right place :-s

I speak with a lot of frustration and experience!

Do you know Clara van der Akker by any chance?

I wonder if it's more common with science based PhDs for the Uni to claim the IP, as they are more likely to be able to capitalise on it than a social sciences/arts PhD? Hmmm....

My first question would be what is your subject area and, more importantly perhaps, do you use any equations at all? There is no real advantage if you're doing a non-mathematically related PhD to be honest, as it does take quite a while to get to grips with. It looks a lot nicer than Word, certainly. But don't add it as an extra pressure needlessly!

I stand very corrected, I was just looking at the BBSRC advice (who funded me).

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=1404&sID=106

"Ownership of intellectual property arising from a studentship lies initially with the student themselves. However, BBSRC expects the institution to enter into an agreement with the student which transfers ownership of any intellectual property arising during the studentship to the institution. The institution may then retain the intellectual property rights or assign them to an industrial partner under
exploitation arrangements in the same manner as for research grants. It is, however, expected to treat a student in a similar manner to other research staff in terms of sharing revenue under the institution’s “rewards to inventors” arrangements."

I do remember signing away the IP to the Uni though as part of the contract.

So ignore my last post 8-)

I was science with research council funding and they and the uni own it - if you're funded , very rarely will you own the IP.